ECN-Electronic Component News articles from July 2007

ECN-Electronic Component News archives from July 2007

The great motivator.(Editor's View)
July 1, 2007... My neighbors, who live almost a hundred yards and up a hill away from me, love their SUV's, monster trucks and electricity. During the Christmas season, the illumination from their myriad of Christmas lights and blow-up, lighted lawn Santas and...

Modular RFID system with built-in I/O.(Leading Off)
July 1, 2007... BLident from Turck is a modular RFID system with built-in I/O capability. Users may add additional I/O modules to the RFID system: up to eight channels of RFID, plus additional discrete or analog I/O comprise a single node on the network. Built...

Chip performs "complete" packet inspection at wire speeds to 20 Gbps and beyond.(Leading Off)
July 1, 2007... cPacket introduced a chip that can perform "complete packet inspection"--a combination of "deep packet inspection" plus header classification--and can do so at 20 Gbps at 6W. The chip makes possible intelligent network switches, routers, or...

Counter-rotating cooling fan with high airflow, static pressure capabilities.(Leading Off)
July 1, 2007... Sanyo Denki introduced a counter-rotating cooling fan that measures 80 [mm.sup.2] X 80 mm thick. Available in 12V S-speed and H-speed models, the San Ace 80CR Series DC cooling fans are designed for use in servers, storage systems,...

Nonvolatile state saver.(Leading Off)
July 1, 2007... Ramtron International launched a device that saves the state of signals on demand and restores them to the correct state automatically upon power up. FRAM technology enables this capability owing to its fast write time and virtually unlimited...

Palm-sized Core 2 Duo mini PC.(Leading Off)
July 1, 2007... Stealth Computer Corporation released a Core 2 Duo small form factor, or mini PC, that can fit in the palm of your hand. The Stealth LPC-450 Little PC uses Intel's latest Core 2 Duo processor technology, is housed in a rugged aluminum enclosure...

Customizable mixed-signal chip for motion and power management.(Leading Off)
July 1, 2007... STMicroelectronics offers an IC with a complete set of configurable and customizable analog functions for printer, fax, and point-of-sale system applications. The device, called the Structured Architecture of Bridges and Regulators (S.A.B.Re),...

LCDs.(PRODUCT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW)
July 1, 2007... The E220 Series DC/AC inverter from Endicott Research Group (ERG), Inc. combines up to 12W of output power with the company's vacuum encapsulated design to ensure reliable CCF lamp ignition for LCDs used in outside, cold storage or other low...

Serial buses free I/O pins.(EMBEDDED SYSTEMS)
July 1, 2007... More times than designers might like to admit, they wish for just one more I/O pin on a microcontroller. Three chip-to-chip serial buses can help overcome I/O pin limits. The following information provides a quick overview and points you to...

Discrete transistors: optimizing the power switch in high voltage applications.(SEMICONDUCTOR HIGHLIGHT)
July 1, 2007... Small high voltage loads are found in abundance. Be they actuators, motors, solenoids or transformers, power supply or power conversion circuits, all are subject to the relentless quest for better energy efficiency, improved reliability and...

Distribution: distribution and the evolving web.(INDUSTRY FOCUS)
July 1, 2007... If you spend time on the Internet, you may have noticed a subtle but important shift in the way web sites are beginning to interact with visitors. Web sites that feature static content have faded away and are being replaced by interactive web...

Q & A: electronic components distribution in Hong Kong.(INDUSTRY FOCUS)(Interview)
July 1, 2007... Featured here is small sampling of our chat with Mr. Stephen Wong, Regional Director of the Americas for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The complete interview is available online at www.ecnmag.com and will be included in the November...

Power supplies aim for efficiency and economy.
July 1, 2007... We all have read about the push for better use of energy, whether expressed in improved vehicle gas mileage, higher efficiency in appliances or energy conservation at home. The need for increased electrical efficiency extends down to the power...

Modbus TCP compatible I/O cubes.(BOARDS & MODULES)
July 1, 2007... United Electronic Industries (UEI) announces its UEIModbus Cube, a compact Ethernet-based data acquisition and control interface that communicates with a host computer or PLC over Modbus TCP. The cube functions as a Modbus slave that is easily...

EBX SBC for industrial applications.(BOARDS & MODULES)
July 1, 2007... WinSystems launches its EBX-compatible Intel 1.8 GHz Pentium M single board computer. The EBC-855-G-1.8-1 is a RoHS-compliant, processor- and I/O-intensive board offering -40[degrees]C to +70[degrees]C temperature operation. Target applications...

Four-channel analog I/O.(BOARDS & MODULES)
July 1, 2007... WAGO Corp. introduces two four-channel analog modules for its WAGO-I/O-System. Designated the 750-553 and the 750-555, these modules transmit analog signals with standard values of 0-20 mA and 4-20 mA, respectively. Both modules are housed in a...

Coplanar power modules.(BOARDS & MODULES)
July 1, 2007... FCI announces its Metral coplanar power modules that can be used in Zone 3 to interface between a front board and rear transition module (RTM) in an ATCA system. Each five-row module provides 10 stamped-and-formed power contacts. Headers use a...

DDR3 unbuffered DIMMs.(BOARDS & MODULES)
July 1, 2007... SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. announces its DDR3 unbuffered DIMM product family to address the projected needs of DDR3-enabled high-end desktop systems, supporting DDR3 unbuffered DIMMs ranging from 512 MB to 2 GB. Providing improved system...

Ten-gigabit Ethernet switch for ATCA.(BOARDS & MODULES)
July 1, 2007... Diversified Technology's ATS1936 switch blade features 10G Ethernet transfer speeds. This Advanced TCA switch complies with PICMG 3.0 R2.0 ECN002 and PICMG 3.1 Option 1 and Option 9. It features three AMC sites for OA & M, firewall and...

Motors with built-in encoders.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL DEVICES)
July 1, 2007... Bodine Electric Co. announces its Incodermotors, a selection of permanent magnet DC and brushless DC motors and gearmotors that are equipped with encoders inside the motor. They are pre-wired and fully tested motor-encoder combinations that are...

Compact brushless motors.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL DEVICES)
July 1, 2007... Portescap, a Danaher Motion company, introduces 22 mm brushless motors with slotless technology that weigh 94 grams and provide 50W of power at up to 73,000 rpm. The motors operate at 25[degrees]C with a 55 dB noise level. The internal design...

Fully sealed 40A automotive relay.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL DEVICES)
July 1, 2007... Global Components & Controls announces its Model G41 relay that is offered with an optional fully sealed enclosure to protect it from harsh environmental conditions. A "skirted" version is also offered in lieu of sealing. This automotive type...

Planetary gear train pancake motor.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL DEVICES)
July 1, 2007... Haydon Switch & Instrument, Inc. announces its planetary gear train pancake motor that measures 18.5 mm X 80 mm. It is made using a gear train built inside the rotor. The motor is available with a 3.75[degrees] step angle, 4 to 1 gear ratio,...

Surface-mount transmissive optical sensors.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
July 1, 2007... Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. introduces its transmissive (interrupter) optical sensors that are qualified to the AEC Q101 standard. Models TCPT1300X01 and TCUT1300X01 have a moisture sensitivity level rating of 1 (MSL1) which means they have an...

Software Radio test chips.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
July 1, 2007... TechnoConcepts, Inc. announces True Software Radio test chips in CMOS 90 nm. The chipsets are designed to enable cell phones, PDAs, laptops and infrastructure with different radio frequencies, standards and protocols to adjust by software...

Motion power modules.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
July 1, 2007... Fairchild Semiconductor introduces three motion-SPM devices, the FSB50325S (250V), FSB50250S (500V) and FSB50450S (500V). Available in 29 mm X 12 mm surface-mount-device packages, each motion-SPM integrates six fast-recovery MOSFETs and three...

Integrated RF amplifier enhances tuner performance.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
July 1, 2007... Anadigics, Inc. announces its ABA3130, a single-chip, low-noise, high linearity RF amplifier with integrated gain control for cable TV front end applications. Designed to replace existing discrete solutions, the fully integrated amplifier...

SoC device with enhanced peripherals.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
July 1, 2007... Renesas Technology America, Inc. announces a system-on-chip (SoC) system with performance and capability enhancements for car navigation systems and other in-vehicle car information system products. The single-chip SH7775 32-bit processor,...

Low voltage MOSFETs.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
July 1, 2007... Diodes, Inc. announces a series of low threshold voltage MOSFETs that are optimized for low voltage applications. Designed for integration into a variety of low voltage circuits common to portable and handheld end products, the series can be...

FPGA-based single chip controller.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
July 1, 2007... SERCOS International introduces Easy-I/O, free IP core software for low-cost FPGA chips, allowing SERCOS III to be integrated into basic I/O slave devices with minimal integration effort. Applications include encoders, measuring sensors, valve...

Remote and local temperature sensor.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)
July 1, 2007... Texas Instruments, Inc. announces an integrated [+ or -]1C maximum remote junction temperature sensor and local temperature sensor that are designed to monitor thermal diodes found in CPUs, microprocessors, graphics processing units and FPGAs....

LED indicator light for harsh environments.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
July 1, 2007... DDP announces its model P81 solid-state LED indicator light that features a snap-in installation to a 1/2" panel opening. It can be modified to include a shunt resistor and metal oxide varistor to protect against circuit noise and transient...

Sunlight-readable LCD modules for industrial applications.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
July 1, 2007... NEC Electronics America, Inc. introduces four amorphous-silicon thin-film-transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) modules that feature the company's super-transmissive natural light TFT (ST-NLT) technology. The products include two 10.4"...

LED light guides for backlighting functions.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
July 1, 2007... Global Lighting Technologies announces it MicroLens edge-lighting modules that provide white LED backlighting for LCDs, serving several functions with a minimum of LEDs for a range of display applications. In addition to bright, uniform white...

Integrated drivers for displays.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
July 1, 2007... Dialog Semiconductor Plc launches a range of display drivers and evaluation kits to support electronic paper segmented displays from E Ink Corp. The DA852x drivers are highly integrated devices, capable of driving 20-, 64-, 96-, 192- and...

Warm white through-hole LEDs.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
July 1, 2007... Avago Technologies announces its HLMP-CYxx TH series of high-brightness warm white through-hole (TH) LEDs in a 5 mm round package for use in a range of solid-state lighting and illumination applications. Available in several packaging options,...

Reflective sheets for lighting fixtures.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
July 1, 2007... Furukawa America, Inc. announces microcellular PET reflective sheets for LCD TV and fluorescent illuminated signboards to produce brighter, clearer images. The white MCPET sheets reflect blue light with wavelengths of 400 nm and red light with...

LED panel mount indicators.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
July 1, 2007... Dialight Corp. announces its 612 and 616 series of LED panel mount indicators for front panel mounting in 12 mm and 16 mm holes and panel thicknesses of up to 6.3 mm. Applications for these RoHS-compliant indicators include main/remote power...

Micro litepipes.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)
July 1, 2007... Visual Communications Co. introduces its LMC Series Micro Litepipe that is 2.5 mm in diameter. Its near flush design provides a method of transmitting light from a surface mount or through-hole LED to the front panel. The small diameter allows...

Independent universal SMT contact.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
July 1, 2007... ITT Electronic Components releases its series of independent universal range SMT contacts that provide an electrical connection between a device and a PCB. Manufact-ured as a single piece stamped product, incorporating pre-load and anti-lift...

Battery holder for "D" size batteries.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
July 1, 2007... Memory Protection Devices, Inc. introduces its model BHD-2 battery holder for "D" size batteries targeted to applications in oil companies, military products and industrial equipment that require high reliability. The holders are light in...

Nano connectors for PCB-to-connector configuration.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
July 1, 2007... Omnetics launches a single row version of its Nano-Miniature Bi-Lobe 0.025" pitch connector family designed to deliver reliable signal contact directly from the PCB into the connector. With a profile of 0.115" high, these connectors incorporate...

Heat-shrinkable tubing.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
July 1, 2007... Tyco Electronics introduces its Raychem brand URHT heat-shrinkable tubing with an eight-to-one shrink ratio. The tubing is flame retardant, black, cross linked polyolefin tubing with an ultra high shrink ratio, making it suitable for...

Multi-level tower modular blocks.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
July 1, 2007... BlockMaster Electronics announced its multi-level, single position series of modular terminal blocks. The product line is CE, UL, CSA, VDE and IMQ approved. With up to four staggered levels of poles, the PSQ Series increases the compactness of...

Micro SD connectors.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)
July 1, 2007... Fujitsu Components America, Inc. releases its FCN-560 series micro SD low-profile connector for micro SD/TransFlash cards. Measuring 15 mm X 14 mm X 1.6 mm, the connector has a life cycle of ten thousand insertions/withdrawals. It uses a...

Red Box VCOs.(PASSIVE & DISCRETE COMPONENTS)
July 1, 2007... Crystek releases its Red Box VCOs available in a robust aluminum enclosure (1.25" X 1.25" X 0.58") with SMA connectors. The majority of Crystek's VCO portfolio will be available in the Red Box series, making integration of a VCO into any...

Power module input connectors.(PASSIVE & DISCRETE COMPONENTS)
July 1, 2007... CONEC announces its power module input connectors with integrated filters. They are designed to meet the PICMG MicroTCA specifications for power input modules which states that power module input connectors should have EMI shielding and...

Precision resistors.(PASSIVE & DISCRETE COMPONENTS)
July 1, 2007... RCD Components, Inc. announces its TO126 and TO220 style power film resistors that exhibit tolerances of 0.025 percent and temperature coefficients to 2 ppm, providing engineers with space-saving power design for precision applications. Uses...

Metal oxide resistors.(PASSIVE & DISCRETE COMPONENTS)
July 1, 2007... IRC Wire and Film Technologies Division introduces its CMO series resistors that are available in standard and miniature sizes with power ratings from 0.25W to 9W at 70[degrees]C, and a maximum operating temperature of 240[degrees]C. Supplied...

Solid electrolytic chip capacitor.(PASSIVE & DISCRETE COMPONENTS)
July 1, 2007... Inelco Hunter introduces the Sanyo POSCAP TPG series of solid electrolytic chip capacitors that combine a low ESR at high frequency with high capacitance in low-profile packages. The anode is sintered tantalum and the cathode is a...

Electrically adjustable resistor family.(PASSIVE & DISCRETE COMPONENTS)
July 1, 2007... Microbridge Technologies, Inc. announces its low power, low TC re-adjustable resistors designed to compensate and calibrate precision analog circuits. These resistors can be used with off-the-shelf National Instruments hardware (NI-cDAQ 9172)...

Enclosed 15W AC/DC switching power supplies.(POWER SOURCES)
July 1, 2007... Astrodyne Corp.announces its PV15 line of high density enclosed switching power supplies that provide 15W of output power. All models accept universal input from 90V AC to 264V AC, and five models are available that provide single outputs from...

Modular power supplies with medical approvals.(POWER SOURCES)
July 1, 2007... PowerGate LLC introduces the ACE Series of 300W to 900W modular power supplies with medical safety approvals. The series consists of four power platforms offering 300W/450W/650W/900W of power that can be configured with a selection of 32...

Transportable battery charger.(POWER SOURCES)
July 1, 2007... Absopulse Electronics introduces its BCP 300-500 series of constant voltage/current battery chargers that are designed for operation in military, marine, transportation, industrial plants, oilfields and other extreme environments. This charger...

Compact power entry modules.(POWER SOURCES)
July 1, 2007... Schaffner EMC Inc. offers its FN 9263 series of compact power entry modules that provides more electrical and mechanical options. The series combines an IEC inlet module and an EMC filter with a single pole rocker switch. The filters' small...

Sensors for parts inspection.(SENSORS & ACTUATORS)
July 1, 2007... Cognex Corp. announces its Checker series of inspection sensors that offer built-in lighting, variable working distance and high-speed inspection capability at rates faster than 6,000 parts per minute. Even on the fastest production lines,...

Mini absolute magnetic kit encoder.(SENSORS & ACTUATORS)
July 1, 2007... US Digital announces its MAE3 miniature absolute magnetic kit encoder that provides shaft position information over 360[degrees] of rotation with no stops or gaps. It is designed to mount to and dismount from an existing shaft to provide...

Relay actuator and isolated digital input card.(SENSORS & ACTUATORS)
July 1, 2007... The eAutomation Group of Advantech introduces the PCI-1763UP relay actuator and isolated digital input card with eight optically-isolated digital inputs and isolation protection of 2,500V DC for collecting digital inputs in noisy environments....

Pressure response microphone.(SENSORS & ACTUATORS)
July 1, 2007... PCB Piezotronics introduces its Model 377A13 prepolarized 1/2" pressure response type microphone which offers extended frequency capability to 20k Hz (+2 dB). This microphone is designed for applications requiring matching magnitude and phase...

Magnetic rotary encoder IC.(SENSORS & ACTUATORS)
July 1, 2007... Austria-microsystems introduces its AS5046, a 12-bit resolution magnetic rotary encoder that offers rotation, tilt and vertical distance detection of a magnet placed above the IC. The device can detect vertical distances over several...

True-RMS USB power sensor.(SENSORS & ACTUATORS)
July 1, 2007... Anritsu Company introduces the MA24106A, a power sensor that measures True-RMS power regardless of the input signal or its bandwidth over 63 dB of dynamic range from 50 MHz to 6 GHz. Suitable for measuring average power of CW, multi-tone, and...

Linear movement redundant sensor.(SENSORS & ACTUATORS)
July 1, 2007... MTS Systems Corp. Sensors Division introduces a redundant version of its G-Series Temposonics sensors that offer maximum safety in critical applications. Designated the GT, this sensor measures critical variables by means of two or three...

Data acquisition box for harsh applications.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
July 1, 2007... Hacker-DatenTechnik announces its MF16080-T series of small portable USB data acquisition boxes with an extended temperature range of -40[degrees]C to +105[degrees]C that are usable for a range of industrial, offshore and military applications....

Heavy-duty Digital Multimeters for harsh environments.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
July 1, 2007... Amprobe Test Tools' HD160C and HD110C Heavy-duty Digital Multimeters (DMM) are designed for professional use in harsh environments. The IP67-rated DMMs are constructed to prevent moisture, dirt and grime from entering the casing and affecting...

Single platform emulation and conformance-test software.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
July 1, 2007... Agilent Technologies, announces its single platform protocol emulation and conformance testing of bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD). The N2X multi-services test software ensured that routers conform to the new IETF BFD recommendations...

Temperature meter with audible buzzer.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
July 1, 2007... Omega Engineering introduces its DP7000 temperature meter that offers a wide temperature range, two selectable alarm settings and an internal buzzer that indicates alarm condition or error. The user can define set-point, ON/OFF heating/cooling...

Digital power meters.(TEST & MEASUREMENT)
July 1, 2007... Chroma ATE, Inc. announces its series 66200 digital power meter is designed for accurate AC power measurements. The internal 16-bit analog/digital converters provide high speed sampling rates up to 240 KHz. In addition to standard power...

If I only changed the software, why is the phone on fire?(Books & Kits)
July 1, 2007... by Lisa Simone, Newnes imprint of Elsevier, Burlington, MA. 2007. 283 pages. $39.95. ISBN: 978-0-7506-8218-3 (www.newnesspress.com). Lisa Simone has done a wonderful job explaining software debugging for embedded-system designers, and I...

Biometric technologies and verification systems.(Books & Kits)
July 1, 2007... by John R. Vacca, Butterworth-Heinemann, Burlington, MA. 2007. 625 pages. $64.95. ISBN: 978-0-7506-7967-1 (www.books.elsevier.com/security) Many people see biometric systems as a panacea for identity theft and a tool with which to secure...